In 1999-2001 around thirty percent of nursing homes had faced at least one claim of elder abuse. Elder abuse is any act of neglect or physical, verbal, or financial abuse against an elderly person. This abuse may occur in a skilled nursing facility or even at home.

What to Look For

If you have an elderly loved one who requires regular care from another family member, an in-home caregiver, or nursing home workers, you should maintain regular contact with your elderly loved one to catch signs of elder abuse.

Elder abuse can occur in a variety of ways: falsely imprisoning a nursing home resident in his or her room, neglecting proper nutrition or hygiene, physically or verbally abusing an elderly person or stealing personal property or account funds.

Look for signs of elder abuse each time you visit your loved one. Is your loved one clean, dressed in appropriate clothing for the weather and of a healthy weight? If anything is amiss your loved one may be facing neglect.

Is your elderly family member acting timid or overly apologetic? These and other changes in behavior could mean physical or verbal abuse. You should also monitor your family member’s financial accounts. Check for unnecessary or frequent withdraws. Pay attention if your loved one decides to change his or her Will and include any person in the nursing facility.

Seeking Help

If you see any sign of elder abuse, you must report it. Speak with the police or your local district attorney. Also speak with state social services and adult or elder protective services. Once you have notified the proper authorities, you may wish to contact an attorney to represent you and your loved one in a suit against the nursing home.

Remember, if you see any sign of elder abuse and you don’t report it, you are allowing someone to harm your family member and possible other elderly citizens.

Tags: nursing home law